Tom Miller admits Lincoln City's back four is missing Mo Fofana and Gary Mills
Tom Miller admits he is missing the presence of Mo Fofana and Gary Mills as he bemoaned the cheap goals which are wrecking Lincoln City's season.
The Imps slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Forest Green at the weekend as they slipped further down the table to leave them three points clear of the relegation zone.
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Tough time: Lincoln City defender Tom Miller admits that the back four has struggled since they lost cover from Gary Mills and Mo Fofana in midfield
Lincoln have now failed to keep a clean sheet since November when they beat Braintree 3-0 who ironically are Lincoln's opponents this weekend.
But they travel south without the injured Mo Fofana, who has not kicked a ball for City since the FA Cup defeat to Mansfield, while Mills is out with knee ligament damage.
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Asked whether Lincoln were missing their naturally defensive mentality, Miller said the pair's absence had been a major blow.
"The defence was so used to having them in front of us, especially when we went on that great unbeaten run before Christmas," he said.
"They were our insurance policy and they made our decisions for us.
"Before we had even made a decision to go tight to a player, Gary and Mo had already done that job for us.
"They screened the defence and we could get away with sitting a little bit deeper.
"They tightened it up for us, but now they are out the transition for us to get tight and do what they were doing is taking us too long.
"Obviously Gary is going to be out for a long time, but Mo has trained a couple of times with us.
"It will be nice to have him back because he gives you added security.
"When strikers dropped deep he would already be there and he countlessly would nick the ball for us in midfield.
"He's naturally defensively minded and he will be a big boost for us when he comes back."
Miller admits City's lack of clean sheets is having an impact on his and the squad's confidence.
City boss David Holdsworth admitted the defensive performances have not been good enough and said injuries could not be used as an excuse.
But Miller says the problems he is experiencing will only make him stronger.
"I would say it's affected confidence a little bit," he said.
"I've certainly felt more confident than I do now and I did not think I had a good game at Southport.
"I just need to get my distribution back and get back to where I know I can be.
"But as footballers, everyone has dips.
"I just need to work my way through it because I know that once I do, I will be much stronger for it.
"You have to remember we are a very young team and we will make mistakes, but we will look to put that right against Braintree this weekend."
Since beating Braintree in November, the two clubs have passed each other in the table.
But, Miller says, Lincoln are better than their results currently suggest.
"That's the most frustrating aspect of it all; we know we are much better than we currently are," he said.
"If you look at our performances pre-Christmas some of our displays were outstanding.
"We are going through a tough patch, but we will bounce back, I'm sure of it."
5 Comments
by franky68
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 6:32PM
“redimposter: Boyce is good, but I think he has to get a little bit more agressive, or lets say more solid in tackling, and not let the opposition push him around, and I really do think he would be really good. I did used to go to some Gainsborough games, and with him playing alongside Waterfall they used to have a very good understanding, and he did get in a bit more there.I did shout to him at one City game to get in more, and I think he heard it, hope he can change as he is a big lad, and when he looks after himself more and imposes himself in games people will give more respect, which will only help him in games.
come on boys”
by franky68
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 6:19PM
“redimposter: I do like Boyce and coud still be strong. with it being the strongest side at present, he woud be on the bench initially for me along with Nicolau or Jone,
Robinson,Larkin,Fofana. I think Boyce needs to get confidence back, and can pick up some good tips from the two in mid defensive players.
What are you thoughts on the present selection process please.
come on boys”
by redIMPoster
Sunday, February 03 2013, 1:18PM
“No Boyce for you then Franky?”
by franky68
Sunday, February 03 2013, 11:11AM
“If we leave Garner and Miller in middle of defence to get it together, and play Gilbert and Gray wide, it would give us a nice balanced set up with Bush and Thomson in front of them, and we would have Bush with a bit more freedom along with Power to exploit opposition defences, more freely, with Sherdan wide right,Jones or Nicolau wide left, also Power could push on with Taylor when attacking.Also Power does very well tracking back.
come on boys”
by redIMPoster
Friday, February 01 2013, 9:03PM
“I can't disagree with Miller's analysis and it has been noticeably different performance wise since Fofana and Mills have been sidelined. However, I would argue that if these 2 missing players did such a great job in front of the defence then surely the defence can assist the new midfielders by telling what they like their midfielders to do and then perhaps practice it in training? Just saying. UTI”